THe SHORTEST NIGHTS
british short film festival
Celebrating the best emerging British filmmaking with cutting-edge curation across entertaining, inspiring and exciting cinema events.
The Shortest Nights is an annual BIFA-qualifying festival that showcases the best in up-and-coming British filmmaking talent. Now in its 12th year, the festival is curated with a dynamic mix of groundbreaking topics and emerging filmmaking innovations.
Returning to the wonderful Castle Sidcup on 5th and 6th September, this year’s festival programme spans comedy, drama, animation, horror and family films, so there’s something for every cinephile!
Each screening is followed by a Q&A and awards presentation.
The Shortest Nights 2026 film programme
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Family film club
Join us for a fun, family-friendly selection of British short films and hands on activities.
An entertaining children’s film programme with fun characters and some cheeky twists and turns. Featuring animated, live action and super 8 films. Followed by a free family activity session inspired by the screening.
Activities are designed for children aged 5-11, but all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Festival activities are available to ticket holders only.
Saturday 5th Sept - 11:30am Castle Sidcup
Catching Fleas
Dir. Georgina Foiniki (12:30)The Last Raindrop
Dir. Leticia Apa Ramos (1:48min)CUEVA
Dir. Amelia Hodgetts (3:15min)Thirst
Dir. Jim Onyemenam (3min)Naughty or Nice?
Dir. Ariana King (8min)UK, Live Action, Animation, Super 8 (30min + activity session)
Rated: U
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Chills and Thrills: Double Bill
Dramatic genre films vs dark comedies in our thrilling two-part programme.
We’ll take you to the cutting edge of contemporary British filmmaking with edge-of-your-seat thrillers and horrors, finished with a palette cleanse of delightfully dark comedies.
Saturday 5th September - 7pm - Castle Sidcup
The Intimacy Coordinator
Dir. Louisa Connolly-Burnham (20:53min)LATCH
Dir. Chelsea Walker (5:25min)Skylight
Dir. Barnaby Boulton (17:30min)Homonym
Dir. Lily Howkins (17:05min)When She Sings
Dir. Paul Holbrook (24:34min)INTERMISSION
Gristle
Dir. James Alex Thomson (14:06)Time's Up, I'm Afraid
Dir. James Button (14min)Mr. Vapey Man
Dir. Hugo Docking (1:15min)The Humbug
Dir. Cole Paviour (9:09min)The Devil Is In Me
Dir. Tia Salisbury (11:45min)UK Thriller, Horror, Dark Comedy (135min)
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Griftin'
Capers, cons and annoying colleagues are all in the firing line in these high-energy narrative comedies from across the UK.
Sunday 6th September - Castle Sidcup
Gan Canny
Dir. Lou Burns, Aaron Burns (17:43min)Muffins 'n' More
Rich Farris (4:15min)Van Kampen & The Mosquito
Dir. Scott Hurran (7:26min)Colette
Dir. Myles McAuliffe (4:30min)Duck Duck Goose
Dir. Harry Redding (13:30min)Deli Meat
BRICK (15:53min)UK Comedy, Comedy-Drama (64min)
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Brothers, Fathers, Sons
Character-driven dramas exploring male familial relationships with complexity, depth and cinematic flair.
Sunday 6th September - Castle Sidcup
Gowk
Dir. Ryan Pollock (15min)Chinaman
Dir. Rob Chiu (12:38min)Gumball
Dir. James Murray (4min)How to Wash a Body, How to Cleanse a Soul
Dir. Luke Bather (19:47min)Yellow Bucket
Dir. Simon Brooke (15:29min)UK Drama (67min)
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Fallout
A collection of heartfelt, high-concept dramedies exploring the emotional fallout of events we can’t control. Expect witty, jaw dropping twists and outstanding performances in these shorts that are equal parts entertainment and catharsis.
Sunday 6th September - Castle Sidcup
Tell Your Face
Dir. Jill Worsley (14:05)Useless
Ariel Heller (9:48min)Truckload
Dir. Aella Jordan-Edge (19:50min)Full Fat
Dir. Louisa Connolly-Burnham (9:27min)The Sorrows of Young Charlotte
Dir. Shir Ariya (13:32min)UK Drama, Comedy-Drama, Dark Comedy (65min)
2024
Our second year as a two-day festival with more sell out screenings and jam-packed networking events at Rich Mix and Sidcup Storyteller.
2023
Our first year as a two-day festival was a momentous one with sell-out events across the board. We were delighted to be back at Rich Mix and excited to finally be able to screen in our home borough of Bexley at the new Sidcup Storyteller.
2022
We were thrilled to be back in person and to find a new home at the wonderful Rich Mix. The 2023 edition saw 5 programmes screen over an entire day.
2021
Our second year online. We really enjoyed being able to reach so many new audiences from around the UK and our live intros continued to be a success!
2020
We were thrilled to achieve BIFA-qualifying status this year despite the challenges faced following the pandemic. Our online edition was jam-packed with brilliant films across 8 programmes, and were thrilled to see so many filmmakers and film fans take part. Through live intros and online networking sessions, we still found a way to celebrate short film.
2019
2019 saw our busiest year at the lovely Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick. We celebrated a huge variety of short films across 5 programmes in one single day.
2018
5 programmes of short films across a wonderful day at The Yard.
2017
There was something for everyone during the full day of films at The Yard in Hackney Wick.
2016
5 programmes of short films across a wonderful day at The Yard, our new festival home in Hackney Wick.
2015
The inaugural Shortest nights festival took place at Electrowerks, Angel. With an entire day of short film programmes, filmmaker networking and foosball.
Festival partners for 2025
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Rich Mix
Our official venue partner. Click here to learn more about their work.
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Sticker Mule
Our official festival sticker provider for 2025. Check out their designs here.
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Glazeview windows
We are extremely grateful to be supported by family-run local business, Glazeview Windows. To learn about their range of services click here.
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Sustainable Wooden Medals
We are proud to have found a sustainable partner for our inaugural awards. Find out more about their products here.
Contact us
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!